HOUSE PASSES ANDREWS AMENDMENT TO HELP PREVENT NUCLEAR 9/11

A bipartisan amendment offered by myself and Rep. Leach (R-IA) passed the House by a vote of 227-195.  This amendment will help to prevent a nuclear 9/11 by speeding up efforts to secure and convert dangerous nuclear material.  This brings us one step closer to heeding the warnings set forth by the 9/11 Commission approximately two years ago. 

My amendment added $27.8 million to the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI).  This initiative specifically addresses the threat that is posed by Highly Enriched Uranium to our country and the world.  This type of uranium can be used in nuclear weaponry, and remains in widespread use around the world.   It is often poorly secured, with only a chain-link fence between terrorists and the materials they need for a nuclear bomb.  The money my amendment added to this initiative will significantly enhance our ability to keep Highly Enriched Uranium out of terrorist’s hands.

The 9/11 Commission called for a "maximum effort" to be applied to secure weapons of mass destruction (WMD), wherever WMD material might be available.  I will continue to do everything I can to apply this “maximum effort” in securing our world against the threat of terrorism. 

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